Auckland Map

About city :

Auckland is the largest city of New Zealand. The urban area of this city ranges to Kumeu in the northwest, Waiwera in the north and Runciman in the south. It is one among the few cities in the world that has harbors on two individual bodies of water( Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea).It was originally build on a narrow isthmus. The area was settled by the Maori tribes in 1350 because of its fertile land, later on immigrants from Europe and Asia arrived and settled here. In 1840, Governor William Hobson chose this area as his capital and named it after the Earl of Auckland who was then the Viceroy of India. In 1841, it was declared to be the capital of New Zealand, but the capital was shifted to Wellington in 1865. Today, it is the largest Polynesian city in the world. Out of a total of almost 1.5 million residents, 63% are Europeans, 11% are Maori, 13% hail from various Pacific islands and the rest consist of a mixed Asian population.

Geography :

The Auckland metropolitan area covers 5,600 sq kms and the terrain here is very diverse. It is located on a volcanic terrain and there are almost 50 volcanic peaks near the city. These volcanoes usually take the form of lagoons and depressions; in fact, there are many volcanoes which have produced lava flows. The city houses at least 14 lava tube caves. Besides, about 21,000 km of the city is occupied by streams and rivers, of which 8% fall in the urban regions.

The city enjoys a temperate climate. Summers are warm and humid while winters are mild and damp. Rainfall occurs throughout the year but is slightly higher in winter. Land breeze and sea breeze exercise a moderating influence on the climate.

How to reach (transport) :

The Auckland International Airport is the largest in the country. It is located in Manukau city about 45 minutes away from downtown Auckland. Direct flights are available to a number of major destinations in Europe, Asia and America. You can also travel to Auckland by cruise ship. Cruise ships dock at wharves, situated at downtown Auckland. From here, you can take a cab to reach your hotel.

If you are traveling to Auckland from the capital city of Wellington located in the South island, a scenic railway can be a great choice as it passes through some of the breathtaking views of the country. In addition, motorways and expressways connect the city to other parts of the country and this too can be a great option for travel.

When to visit :

The best time to visit Auckland is from February to October. Though it is somewhat hot and humid, constant breeze makes the weather pleasant and comfortable. The rest of the year is too rainy.

Culture (fairs and festivals) and traditions :

The city has the largest concentration of Polynesian population and a growing Asian population as well. So, the culture is very diverse.

Some of the main festivals celebrated in Auckland are as follows :

• The Auckland Pride Gala is celebrated on 8th February. It includes a Maori style welcome followed by a cavalcade of local and international cabaret, theatre performances, music and other cultural shows.
• The Auckland Folk Festival is an event of dance, music and song which is held at the end of January. It is a family festival which is being celebrated from 1973.
• The Auckland International Cultural Festival is celebrated in April in the War Memorial Park. It is a mega event comprising of food, crafts, cultural shows, dance, music and sports performances. You can enjoy a vast variety of cultural shows ranging from Hungarian dancers, Pacific dancers, French and Latin American food, music and dance.
• The anniversary of the founding of the city is celebrated in January with an annual regatta in the harbor.
• The Hero festival celebrated in February is a unique event in the city. The gay and lesbian community celebrates this day with the Big Gay Out, Hero Pride March and Hero Dance party.
• The Dragon boat festival is celebrated in March where teams of Dragon boats enter into fierce competition in the Waitemata Harbor.

In addition, several other events are celebrated in the city like the International film festival, Auckland home show, Auckland Flower show, Santa Parade and many more.

Points of interest (places to see) :

Some of the most interesting things to see in Auckland are as follows:

• The Auckland War Memorial museum is constructed to honor those who fought and died in the theaters of war. It also contains excellent collection of Polynesian and Maori art, artifacts and daily cultural performances.
• The New Zealand National Maritime museum contains exhibits chronicling the maritime history of the country.
• The Auckland zoo covers 17 acres and has a large collection of native and exotic animals in the country.
• The Kelly Tarlton museum contains an aquarium where you can travel through a transparent strip as fishes and sharks swim all around you.

Accommodation :

Auckland offers a vast variety of accommodations, no matter what your needs are. The city carves a niche both for the luxury travelers as well as for those running on a tight schedule. The five star hotels include De Brett, Sky City Grand, Hilton, Langham while the Jet Park, Eden Park, YHA Auckland and Sky City are 4.5 star hotels. The four star hotels include Quality Hotel, Braemer, Scenic, Esplanade, quadrant etc. The three star hotels are Bavaria, Auckland Rose Park and Ibis Styles while budget accommodation is provided at a number of motels and bed and breakfasts.